The 10 Greatest Wide Receivers of All-Time
The 10 Greatest Wide Receivers in NFL History
In the realm of football greatness, the wide receiver position has delivered some of the most breathtaking moments in NFL history.
But ranking the greatest wide receivers of all-time is no easy feat. Read on to see who made our top spot!
Legendary wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald
From jaw-dropping catches to record-breaking performances, these wide receivers have etched their names in the annals of the sport.
With production spanning different eras and leagues, naming the top 10 wide receivers in history is a challenging task. Nevertheless, these players have forged an enduring legacy, inspiring generations of players and fans.
Here are the top 10 greatest wide receivers of all-time!
10. Lance Alworth
A career total of 542 catches and 10,266 receiving yards
He won UPI AFL Player of the Year in 1963
He entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1978
Lance Alworth was a game-changer in football history. He brought a whole new style to the field and ended his career as one of the all-time great receivers.
Alworth was a pioneer in the American Football League (AFL), known for stretching the field like no one else. With his blazing speed, agility and hands of gold, he was a nightmare for opposing defences.
During his career, Alworth hauled in an impressive 542 catches, totalling a staggering 10,266 receiving yards and scoring 85 touchdowns. He achieved the remarkable feat of seven 1,000-yard seasons.
In 1963, he was named the UPI AFL Player of the Year and found his name on six first-team All-Pro lists and seven Pro Bowl rosters.
His greatness was solidified when he entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1978, becoming the first player primarily from the AFL to receive this honour.
9. Calvin Johnson
He played for the Detroit Lions from 2002-2015
A career total of 731 receptions for 11,619 yards and 83 touchdowns
He led the NFL in receiving yards twice
When we talk about the all-time great wide receivers, Calvin Johnson, fondly known as "Megatron," stands tall among them.
Megatron was a physical marvel, dominating the field at a towering 6'5" with a rare blend of size, speed and athleticism. He redefined the standard for elite receivers, making jaw-dropping catches, outmuscling defenders and stretching the field.
Despite playing only nine seasons for the Detroit Lions from 2007 to 2015, Johnson was a force to be reckoned with. He battled double-teams and defensive schemes but consistently put up exceptional numbers.
His career stats include 731 receptions for a whopping 11,619 yards and 83 touchdowns. Johnson led the NFL in receiving yards twice, with a record-breaking 1,964 yards in 2012, surpassing Jerry Rice's mark.
Throughout his career, Johnson earned six Pro Bowl selections and three First-Team All-Pro honours. Despite his short career, his legacy lives on as one of the greatest wide receivers of all-time. He was deservedly enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2021.
8. Marvin Harrison
A career total of 128 touchdowns
His 1,102 receptions ranked second in NFL history
He earned eight Pro Bowl selections
Marvin Harrison's precision in route running and sure-handed catches made him one of the most reliable receivers in NFL history.
His connection with Peyton Manning resulted in a record-breaking 114 touchdowns, numerous records and a Super Bowl win during their time with the Indianapolis Colts.
Harrison's ability to run routes with surgical precision and his exceptional hands rendered him one of the league's most formidable receivers in his prime.
He excelled at creating separation from defenders and consistently found openings in opposing defences to make pivotal plays for the Colts.
When he hung up his cleats after a 13-year career, Harrison had tallied an impressive number of 128 touchdowns.
His 1,102 receptions ranked second in NFL history and he earned eight Pro Bowl selections and three First-Team All-Pro honors. He was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2016.
7. Larry Fitzgerald
He was drafted third overall in 2004
He ranked second in NFL career receiving yards
11 Pro Bowl selections
Larry Fitzgerald, aptly nicknamed "Larry Legend," earned his moniker for a reason. His reliable hands, ability to snatch contested catches and mastery of route running paved the way for a remarkable career.
Fitzgerald, one of the most esteemed wide receivers in NFL history, consistently displayed excellence throughout his tenure.
Drafted third overall in 2004, Fitzgerald spent his entire career with the Arizona Cardinals, becoming the franchise's face and setting numerous NFL team records.
He ranked second in NFL career receiving yards, second in career receptions and sixth in receiving touchdowns (data as of September 2021).
Over his career, Fitzgerald earned 11 Pro Bowl selections and secured one First-Team All-Pro honour. Though not officially retired, he last played in 2020, leaving behind a legacy as one of the NFL's greatest wide receivers.
6. Cris Carter
A career total of 13,899 receiving yards - 12,383 with the Minnesota Vikings
Two First-Team All-Pro honours
He earned a place in the Hall of Fame in 2013
One of the best Ohio State Buckeyes, Cris Carter was renowned for turning acrobatic sideline catches into routine affairs and his nose for the end zone made him a go-to target for signal callers.
He kicked off his journey with the Eagles and later spent 12 remarkable seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, where he racked up an impressive 12,383 of his 13,899 career receiving yards.
Carter's hands were as reliable as they come, and he had an uncanny ability to snatch challenging passes in the midst of heavy traffic.
One of the greatest wide receivers of all-time, Cris Carter
His exceptional route running, precise footwork and body control made him a red-zone maestro and a clutch performer in critical situations.
During his illustrious career, Carter earned eight Pro Bowl nods and received two First-Team All-Pro honours.
He consistently ranked among the league leaders in receptions and receiving touchdowns, ultimately earning his place in the Hall of Fame in 2013.
5. Steve Largent
He played with the Seattle Seahawks from 1976 to 1989
A streak of eight consecutive 1,000-yard seasons
He earned a place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1995
Despite not boasting elite physical attributes, Largent became one of the most dependable receivers of his time thanks to his surgical route running, reliable hands and football IQ.
He had an uncanny ability to locate openings in defences and turn difficult catches into routine plays.
Largent's entire NFL career was with the Seattle Seahawks from 1976 to 1989, where he played a pivotal role in their offence and strung together an impressive streak of eight consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, excluding the strike-shortened 1982 campaign.
His career totals of 819 receptions, 13,089 yards and 100 touchdowns etched his name atop the NFL record books.
Throughout his career, Largent earned seven Pro Bowl selections and received one First-Team All-Pro honour.
He stood as the NFL's all-time leading receiver in several key statistical categories upon his retirement, a testament to his impact on the game during his era.
Steve Largent rightfully earned his spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1995.
4. Terrell Owens
Six Pro Bowl selections and five First-Team All-Pro honours
A career total of 153 touchdowns
He played nine seasons with over 1,000 yards
Terrell Owens, famously known as "T.O.," brought a one-of-a-kind blend of size, speed and sheer strength to the wide receiver position.
His physicality and the ability to overpower defenders made him a force to be reckoned with, consistently delivering impressive performances and clutch plays throughout his career.
Owens had an impressive nine seasons with over 1,000 yards and eight with double-digit touchdowns and his resume includes six Pro Bowl selections and five First-Team All-Pro honors.
In total, Owens amassed an impressive 1,078 receptions, 15,934 yards and a whopping 153 touchdowns.
Despite occasional controversies due to his outspoken nature and locker room clashes, Owens received the ultimate football honour when he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018.
3. Randy Moss
Six Pro Bowl selections
Alongside Jerry Rice, he stands as the only receiver to record 10 seasons with over 1,000 yards
He earned a place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018
Randy Moss is arguably the most physically gifted receiver the game has ever seen!
With his raw athleticism, explosive speed, mesmerising leaping ability and the capacity to stretch the field, he redefined the deep threat role in the NFL.
Moss was a maestro at making jaw-dropping catches and striking fear into the hearts of defenders, playing alongside Tom Brady for the New England Patriots.
Over his illustrious 14-season career, Moss accumulated 982 receptions, 15,292 yards and an astounding 156 touchdowns.
He even set the single-season touchdown record, eclipsing Jerry Rice's previous mark. Moss, alongside Jerry Rice, stands as the only receiver to record 10 seasons with over 1,000 yards.
His excellence earned him six Pro Bowl selections and four First-Team All-Pro honours. Moss was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018.
2. Don Hutson
He played for the Green Bay Packers for 11 years
A career total of 488 receptions and 7,991 yards
He led the NFL in receiving yards, receptions and touchdowns multiple times
Don Hutson, a pioneer of the game long before the passing era, is often credited as the NFL's first elite receiver. His remarkable skills made him the league's first true pass-catching specialist and his records stood for decades as a testament to his greatness.
Even though the NFL of his time didn't feature the pass-heavy offences we see today, Hutson's exceptional speed, precise route running and incredible hands set him apart.
During his 11-year tenure with the Green Bay Packers, Hutson compiled impressive career stats of 488 receptions, 7,991 yards and 99 touchdowns, a feat that was unmatched for many years.
He was named the league MVP in both the 1941 and 1942 seasons and led the NFL in several categories multiple times, including receiving yards, receptions and touchdowns - earning him a spot on eight All-Pro teams.
While his statistics may not compare to today's standards, Don Hutson's impact on the game cannot be overstated. He set the bar for future receivers and remains a legendary figure in NFL history.
1. Jerry Rice
A record total of 1,549 receptions, 22,895 receiving yards and 197 receiving touchdowns
Three-time Super Bowl champion
13 Pro Bowl selections
When it comes to the greatest wide receiver of all-time, there's no room for debate—it's Jerry Rice.
His unparalleled work ethic, precision in route running and ability to dominate games place him firmly at the top of the list. Rice worked with Joe Montana to create one of the greatest quarterback-wide receiver combos ever.
Jerry Rice didn't just break previous receiving records; he shattered them!
His incredible career featured 1,549 receptions, 22,895 receiving yards and 197 receiving touchdowns—marks that still stand as NFL all-time records.
Plus he's a three-time Super Bowl champion, too!
Throughout his extraordinary 20-year NFL journey, Rice earned numerous accolades, including 13 Pro Bowl selections and 10 First-Team All-Pro honours.
He was named the NFL Offensive Player of the Year twice (in 1987 and 1993) and even secured the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award in 1995.
Rice's greatness earned him a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010, in his very first year of eligibility. He is, without a doubt, the undisputed number one.
Have we missed anyone off our list? Who should we add? Tell us all your thoughts in the comments!
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